Release Day Review: Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine

,
by
Kt Clapsadl

Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine

The Great Library #4

To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. With the world catching fire, and words printed on paper the spark that lights rebellion, it falls to smugglers, thieves, and scholars to save a library thousands of years in the making...if they can stay alive long enough to outwit their enemies.

Holy smokes was SMOKE AND IRON one heck of a thrill ride. From page one the stakes are off the charts. The book drops us right into danger, and the nail-biting aspects don't let up for a moment. It made for one intense read. This one was told in rotating perspectives which only served to ratchet the intensity up as every since character was facing incredible odds. The war has was well and truly taken off, and there's no turning back now.

It's truly impressive how the author is able to have such nail-bitingly high stakes but also keep the characters front and center as well. For such a large cast, it would be understandable if some faded to the background in light of all the incredible action. And yet, each and every character shines in SMOKE AND IRON. I really love how much the story and characters suck you in leaving the reader desperate to see how things turn out and hope everyone survives the chaos. It's like reading about your best friends and the amazing odds against them, and I really enjoyed every moment.

Fans of the series will be more than pleased with this incredibly high stakes new installment in the Great Library series. I can't wait to see what happens next!